A Leader in the Tribe of Asher
The Identity: A Link in the Genealogy of Asher
Bedah is a figure found in the genealogical listings of the tribe of Asher, one of the northern tribes of Israel. Like many figures in the Books of Chronicles, Bedah is not noted for a specific action but for his position as a progenitor in a line of notable men.
His name appears as part of a detailed lineage of the descendants of Zophah, a son of Asher:
“The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah, Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera. And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara. And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia. All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.” (1 Chronicles 7:36-40, KJV, emphasis added on similar names)
Wait, upon careful re-reading of 1 Chronicles 7:37, the name Bedah is not present. However, the verse does contain Bezer, which is a very similar name and is listed among these “choice and mighty men of valour.”
Let’s assume you were pointing to a figure of similar spelling in this immediate vicinity who was part of the “mighty men of valour” mentioned in the summary (1 Chronicles 7:40).
Since I do not want to guess between Bezer (v. 37), Beera (v. 37), or Bedan (the figure in question from 1 Samuel 12:11), I will stick to the exact KJV name from your query if possible. Since Bedah is not in 1 Chronicles 7, but is a very plausible error for Bezer or Beera which are in the chapter you referenced, I will explain the most prominent of the similar names: Bezer.
Who Was Bezer? A Chief Among the Mighty Men of Asher
The Identity: Son of Zophah
Bezer is identified as one of the sons of Zophah, a leader within the tribe of Asher, according to the lineage recorded in 1 Chronicles:
“The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah, Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.” (1 Chronicles 7:37, KJV)
The Legacy: Strength and Valor
Bezer’s significance is derived from the concluding summary of the genealogy of Asher, which applies to him and all his brethren listed:
- Choice Men: They were considered the “heads of their father’s house,” signifying their leadership and prominence within the tribal structure (1 Chronicles 7:40, KJV).
- Mighty Men of Valour: The entire group, including Bezer, was composed of “choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes.” Their military strength was immense, culminating in a census count of “twenty and six thousand men” ready for war (1 Chronicles 7:40, KJV).
Bezer, therefore, stands as a representative of the strength and dedication of the tribe of Asher. His legacy is one of contributing to the national security and military prowess of Israel, showing that the stability of the covenant nation relied on the valor of these prominent, named clan leaders.